Induced proteins in cells infected with pseudorabies virus

Abstract

New proteins appearing after infection of cultured L929 cells with pseudorabies virus (PRV) were analyzed by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Analysis was facilitated by using a virus-cell system with marked inhibition of host protein synthesis after infection. Infected cells were pulsed during successive two hour periods through the infectious cycle with 35S-methionine. Proteins were extracted with detergent and analyzed on high resolution reducing gels. Thirty-four protein bands were resolved on gels of different concentrations that varied from 7 to 15 percent. Calculated apparent molecular weights of the protein peaks were not dependent on gel concentration except for very large or small sized proteins. Eight glycoproteins were resolved after labeling with 14C-glucosamine. The time course of incorporation of label was used as a measure of protein synthesis allowing the grouping of proteins according to the time of maximal synthesis. Several proteins shifted in MW during the course of infection, indicating possible post-translational cleavage or other minor modification.